|
Creation
A
Set of 20 Contemporary Stained Glass Windows
|
Introduction |
|
East Nave | West Nave |
|
1 | 2 | 3
| 4 | 5 | 6 |
7 | 8 | 9 |
10 | 11 | 12 |
13 |
14 | 15 | 16 |
17 | 18 | 19 |
20 |
|
Closing |
A
message from the Rector on the stained glass windows A
quick slide show of all the windows (Windows Media Player) Sue
Obata - Designer The
concept behind my design for the nave windows of St. James is to celebrate
God's Creation. As people of the twenty first century, we are
beginning to understand that our world is a fragile place that we have
taken for granted as we have too often considered it only in terms of
fulfilling our own needs. As a result, all kinds of relationships
disintegrate - our natural environments are often damaged without thought
and in human terms, people are divided by nationalities and creeds.
Reflecting on nature can help us understand that we must see ourselves in
relation to one another and the world - sharing a common humanity within
Creation. This
leads to an understanding of Creation as Christians. In celebrating
Creation, we are acknowledging the God, the Creator "How many are
your works O LORD, in wisdom you made them all ... These all look to you
to give them their food at the proper time." Psalm 104:24-27.
He is the maker of all living things and the sustainer of all. As He
cares for them, we learn from His example so that we can also wisely care
for and manage His Creation. The Christian belief in God can
therefore be a very positive force as it makes us think about our
relationship to the rest of the world and teaches us to respond to those
things that can harm any part of God's Creation. Nave
- East Side
Nave
- West Side
The
following are notes regarding the individual windows designs: Nave
- East Side Genesis The
First Triptych
[return to top]
1.
Chaos - before Creation 2.
In the Beginning ... 3.
"Let There Be Light" The
Second Triptych
[return to top]
4.
The Waters and the Firmament and
the beginnings of life forms; also the Creator's star 5.
The Heavens When
I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon, and the stars -
Psalm 8:3 One
star differeth from another star in glory - Cor. 15:41 Also
the 12 stars represent the 12 disciples, the fish in a triangle represent
The Trinity - one fish was the symbol for Christ. 6.
Let the Waters Bring Forth creatures
of the water and air The
Third Triptych
[return to top]
7.
God Called the Dry Land Earth Behold
I have given you every plant yielding seed 8.
Let the Earth Bring Forth Living Creatures Ram
- symbol of strength; sometimes was used as a symbol for Chirst; from the
story of Abraham Ox
- symbol of patience and strength (sacrificial animal - sometimes seen as
a symbol of Christ, the true sacrifice) Hare
- itself defenseless, was sometimes used as a symbol of those who
put the hope of their salvation in Christ. 9.
The Lord God Formed Man of Dust from
the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. This
at last is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh ... she shall be called
Woman. The
East End Window
[return to top]
10.
Thus the Heavens and the Earth were Finished The
two circles represent The Heavens and The Earth Nave
- West Side Creation
Continues The
West End Window
[return to top]
11.
The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil The
Fourth Triptych
[return to top]
12.
Human Creativity We
have been given mind, heart and spirit and with those gifts we have done
much, good and evil ... reflection on the source of these gifts can lead
us to take proper care of God's Creation. Science, Biology, Botany,
Astronomy, Physics. 13.
Music and Visual Arts 14.
The Written Word The
Fifth Triptych
[return to top]
15.
The Word Made Flesh Jesus
holding an apple ("the new man from Heaven") and an olive branch
for Peace. 16.
Like the Parable of the Sower "As
for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and
understands it; he indeed bears fruit (symbolized by the growth of the
bush from seed - the Word of God) 17.
Jesus Performs Miracles Creation
in a literal sense - Feeding the Five Thousand and The Marriage at Cana -
turning water to wine. Redemption
of Creation The
Sixth Triptych
[return to top]
18.
Passion and Resurrection Crucifixion
of Christ 19.
Resurrection "Hope
folds and unfolds her wings ..." 20.
Pathway to Discipleship Omega |
